Georgians Reminded That High Water Means High Danger

(ATLANTA) – As the days become warmer and Georgia transitions from a cold winter into a milder spring, it’s important to prepare for a new set of severe weather threats. Warmer weather provides ideal conditions for rain and heavy thunderstorms, which could ultimately lead to extremely dangerous conditions due to flooding.

During National Flood Safety Preparedness Week, March 16-20, Georgians are encouraged to prepare for the possibility of a flood, practice emergency response procedures and learn more about local threats.

“Floods are the No. 2 weather-related killer in Georgia,” said Jim Butterworth, director of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security (GEMA/HS). “Many communities across the state experience some kind of flooding after spring rains or intense storms which produce large amounts of rain within a short period. Taking a few minutes to prepare can make you and your family much safer.”

Floods are unpredictable and can be slow or fast rising, but generally develop over a period of days. Flash floods usually result from heavy storms dropping large amounts of rain within a short period. They occur with little or no warning and can reach full peak in just minutes. Neighborhoods located in low-lying areas are particularly vulnerable to flooding. However, those near bodies of water or downstream from a dam also are at risk.

Nearly half of all flood-related deaths occur when people drive into floodwaters and their vehicle is swept away. Few people realize that only 6 inches of water can knock over an adult and a mere 2 feet of fast-moving water can sweep away most vehicles. Though floods can occur without much warning, there are steps that any household can take to prepare ahead of time to minimize property damage, injury or even death. The Ready Georgia campaign offers the following simple, yet crucial, tips to help Georgians prepare, plan and stay informed about floods:

Talk to your insurance provider about your policy as it pertains to flood damage and consider if you need additional coverage. The National Flood Insurance Program is designed to provide reasonable flood insurance in exchange for the careful management of flood-prone areas by local communities. The program, administered by FEMA, is available in hundreds of participating Georgia communities.

Familiarize yourself with the terms that are used to identify a flood.

A flood watch means widespread flooding is possible in your area. Be prepared to evacuate. A watch is issued for flooding that is expected to occur six to 12 hours after the heavy rains have ended.

A flood warning means a flood is expected in your area within six to 12 hours. If local authorities advise you to evacuate, do so immediately.

Build a disaster supplies kit and prepare a portable Ready kit in case you have to evacuate.

Plan how you will leave and where you will go if you are advised to evacuate.

Create a communications plan and decide on a meeting place outside of your neighborhood in case your family is apart and unable to return home due to flooded roads.

Determine an out-of-town contact. It may be easier to text or call long distance if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service.

Plan ahead for your pets. Shelters cannot accept pets due to health reasons, so it’s important to find a pet-friendly hotel or make arrangements with family or friends in advance.

Prepare your home by:

Protecting important documents. Keep insurance policies and copies of other important documents in a waterproof container in your Ready kit. You should also make electronic copies by taking photos of them with your phone or scanning them.

Moving your furniture and valuables to higher floors of your home.

Raising your furnace, water heater and electric panel if they are in areas of that may be flooded.

During Flooding

If it has been raining hard for several hours, or steadily raining for several days, be alert to the possibility of a flood.

Stay out of floodwaters if possible. The water may be contaminated or electrically charged. However, if your car stalls in rapidly rising water, get out immediately and seek higher ground.

Stay away from downed power lines to avoid the risk of electric shock or electrocution.

After Flooding

Do not return to your home until local authorities say it is safe. Even after floodwaters recede, roads and bridges may be weakened and could collapse. Buildings may be unstable, and drinking water may be contaminated. Use common sense and exercise caution.

To help Georgians prepare for severe weather, Ready Georgia offers resources and information residents can use to create an emergency supply kit, develop a communications plan and stay informed about potential threats. An interactive website provides detailed information on Georgia-specific emergency preparedness and allows users to create a personal profile and receive a customized checklist and family communications plan. Employers can use the Ready Your Business guide to create custom contingency plans, and children can visit the ReadyKids page for age-appropriate information, videos and games. For preparedness and severe weather alerts on the go, families can also download Ready Georgia’s free mobile app.

Ready Georgia is a statewide campaign designed to educate and empower Georgians to prepare for and respond to natural disasters, pandemic outbreaks, potential terrorist attacks and other large-scale emergencies. The campaign is a project of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security and provides a local dimension to Ready America, a broader national campaign. Ready Georgia aims to prepare citizens for maintaining self-sufficiency for at least 72 hours following an emergency, and uses an interactive website, free mobile app, broadcast and print advertising and public awareness media messaging to reach its audiences. Ready Georgia is also on Facebook and YouTube.

Videos

Action! Learn how to prepare for the unexpected. Our videos show you what it takes.